Abstract:
The List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature includes, alphabetically and chronologically, the nomenclature of bacteria and the nomenclatural changes as cited in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, or published, or validly published in the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology or in the International Journal of ... Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. It is extensively annotated to clarify the Rules which govern the scientific nomenclature.

There is no official classification of bacteria, but the names given to bacteria are regulated. The International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (Bacteriological Code) contains General Considerations, Principles, Rules and Recommendations which govern the way in which the names of bacteria are to be used (see: Definitions and abbreviations). In 1975 the Bacteriological Code (1975 Revision) introduced a new concept, that of the valid publication of names of bacteria. The publication of the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names (Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol., 1980, 30, 225-420) was part of this concept, and set a new starting point in bacterial nomenclature (see: Definitions and abbreviations). The Approved Lists of Bacterial Names contain 2,212 names of genera, species or subspecies, and 124 names of higher taxa (see the file "Names included in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names": HTML Format or PDF Format). The International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (1990 Revision) is the cornerstone of bacterial nomenclature. It states that the name of a taxon is validly published, and therefore has standing in nomenclature, if one of the following criteria is met: 1) The name is cited in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names. 2) The name is published in papers in the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology or in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology and conforms to requirements laid down in the Bacteriological Code. Such names appear in the Notification List published in the following issue of the journal (see: Notification Lists). The first Notification List was published on July 1991 and it included names validly published in the April issue of the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology. 3) The name is validated by Announcement in a Validation List. Validation Lists are lists published in the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology or in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology validating bacterial names effectively published elsewhere (see: Validation Lists). A list of names cited in the Validation Lists is provided on this site (see the file "Names validly published by announcement in a Validation List": HTML Format or PDF Format). Announcement in a Validation List is the responsibility of the author of the name or new combination. Authors wishing to have new names and/or combinations included in a list should send the pertinent reprint or a photocopy thereof to the "International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology Editorial Office" (IJSEM Editorial Office - Society for General Microbiology - Marlborough House - Basingstoke Road - Spencers Wood - Reading RG7 1AE - UK. - e-mail: ijsem@sgm.ac.uk - Tel: +44 118 988 1815 - Fax: +44 118 988 1834). In addition to valid publication of a name, the Bacteriological Code also states that only correct names are to be used, i.e. based on valid publication, legitimacy, and priority of publication [Principle 6 of the Bacteriological Code (1990 revision)]. The List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature includes, alphabetically and chronologically, the nomenclature of bacteria and the nomenclatural changes as cited in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, or published, or validly published in the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology or in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. It is extensively annotated to clarify the Rules which govern the scientific nomenclature. Some grammatical or orthographical changes are suggested. However these changes are not formal propositions because it is necessary to maintain stability of bacterial nomenclature [Principle 1 of the Bacteriological Code (1990 revision)]. From 14 December 2000, no grammatical or orthographical corrections is accepted for names on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, the Validation Lists and the Notification Lists (see the file "Grammatical or orthographical changes prohibited by Rule 61": HTML Format or PDF Format). Nota bene: 1) The names in this list are "valid" only in the sense of being validly published as a result of conformity with the Rules of Nomenclature. The names which are to be used are those which are correct in the opinion of the bacteriologist (especially a combinatio nova or a nomen novum) and a particular name does not have to be adopted in all circumstances; it is possible for two or more validly published names to remain in use. For example, a bacteriologist can use the names Corynebacterium pyogenes, Actinomyces pyogenes or Arcanobacterium pyogenes according to his (her) scientific judgment, providing that their use is in accordance with the Rules. Warning: In the List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature, an arrow (--->) only indicates the sequence of valid publication of names and does not mean that the last name in the sequence must be used (see: Definitions and abbreviations). See also: TINDALL (B.J.): Misunderstanding the Bacteriological Code. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol., 1999, 49, 1313-1316. 2) Names not validly published are not cited. For example, "Haemophilus somnus" Bailie 1969 (a taxon of veterinary interest) is not on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, has not been validly published since 1 January 1980, and therefore is not included on the List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature. However, the name may be revived (see: Definitions and abbreviations). Some names in current use but not validly published are provided in the file Some bacterial names without standing in nomenclature. 3) The infrasubspecific subdivisions are not covered by the Rules of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (1990 Revision) and are not listed (see: Definitions and abbreviations). For more information, see EUZEBY (J.P.): List of bacterial names with standing in nomenclature: a folder available on the Internet. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol., 1997, 47, 590-592. As says Le Gros, cited by Buchanan et al.(Index Bergeyana, Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore, Md, 1966, pp. VII-XII), "Dans ce genre de travail il est presque impossible de ne pas faire d'erreurs ..." (In this kind of work it is very difficult to avoid errors). So, the author (e-mail: j.euzeby@envt.fr) would greatly appreciate factual information concerning any errors or corrections for this list. The List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature will be updated with the publication of each new issue of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

Quality
1) The names in this list are "valid" only in the sense of being validly published as a result of conformity with the Rules of Nomenclature.The names which are to be used are those which are correct in the opinion of the bacteriologist (especially a combinatio nova or a nomen ... novum) and a particular name does not have to be adopted in all circumstances; it is possible for two or more validly published names to remain in use. For example, a bacteriologist can use the names Corynebacterium pyogenes, Actinomyces pyogenes or Arcanobacterium pyogenes according to his (her) scientific judgment, providing that their use is in accordance with the Rules. Warning: In the List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature, an arrow (--->) only indicates the sequence of valid publication of names and does not mean that the last name in the sequence must be used (see: Definitions and abbreviations). See also: TINDALL (B.J.): Misunderstanding the Bacteriological Code. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol., 1999, 49, 1313-1316. 2) Names not validly published are not cited. For example, "Haemophilus somnus" Bailie 1969 (a taxon of veterinary interest) is not on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, has not been validly published since 1 January 1980, and therefore is not included on the List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature. However, the name may be revived (see: Definitions and abbreviations). Some names in current use but not validly published are provided in the file Some bacterial names without standing in nomenclature. 3) The infrasubspecific subdivisions are not covered by the Rules of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (1990 Revision) and are not listed (see: Definitions and abbreviations). For more information, see EUZEBY (J.P.): List of bacterial names with standing in nomenclature: a folder available on the Internet. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol., 1997, 47, 590-592. As says Le Gros, cited by Buchanan et al.(Index Bergeyana, Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore, Md, 1966, pp. VII-XII), "Dans ce genre de travail il est presque impossible de ne pas faire d'erreurs ..." (In this kind of work it is very difficult to avoid errors). So, the author (e-mail: j.euzeby@envt.fr) would greatly appreciate factual information concerning any errors or corrections for this list. The List of Bacterial Names with Standing in Nomenclature will be updated with the publication of each new issue of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

There are lists of nomenclatural changes validly published since January 01, 1998.